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"It's all a bit strange. We've lost the gazebo, but the tent's still standing and we're looking forward to some music now."

14.32
Georgia Jones, 23, from Cornwall, said: "It was a nightmare. We got the ferry alright, but the bus took two hours and it was open top! We got pretty wet and the bus couldn't even get to the site so
we had to get off and walk for miles.

"Putting up the tent was difficult, but people were helping us. It's friendly and nice here, no one seems to have been put off by mud. Our tent is still in one piece, but some have blown away.
There's not one bit of grass just mud."

14.15
Isle of Wight Council urged people coming to the island to try to make their own parking arrangements due to the waterlogged car park. Stuart Love, director of economy and environment for the
council, encouraged people to come on ferries as foot passengers.

He said the council is busy finding extra car parking sites which can be opened today to alleviate the jams. Organisers are negotiating with private landowners.

13.35
It's not good news for anyone at the festival - the weather does not look to be improving anytime soon:

13.02
Festival goer Max Ritchie, 16, from Gillingham, in Dorset, said: "It's pretty awful in here to be honest - mud everywhere. We came over on a friend's boat. We had to walk for miles and it's not
very nice. Camping last night was an experience, but there was a really good atmosphere."

12.49
Organisers of the Isle of Wight Festival said refunds will be discussed after the weekend.

11.51
A spokeswoman for Wightlink, which operates ferries from Portsmouth and Lymington to the island, said services had resumed as normal this morning. She said: ''Our ferries are currently running to
schedule and on time.''

11.42
Members of Vectis 4x4 Response, a voluntary group which helps in emergencies, helped tow 358 vehicles to the car park last night. John Marr, of Vectis 4x4, said: ''We had eight vehicles on site.
Even with a police escort to get us in, it took us an hour to get there. ''We moved 358 vehicles that were stuck in the mud. There is only one way into the car park and the conditions were the
cause of all the hold-ups. We aren't to blame, but we did our best.''

11.33
A statement by Hampshire Police placed on Twitter said: ''More car parks are open around the Seaclose Park site but IW Festival goers and residents are advised to still expect significant delays
today.

''The festival's emergency liaison team is working closely together to explore other options to reduce traffic queues and minimise disruption as soon as possible.

''These options include opening other car parks across the island.

''Our priority is to clear existing traffic on the island and provide more welfare and refreshments to motorists in queues.

''Some motorists remain parked at Newport Football Club.''

11.17
The organisers of the Isle of Wight Festival are recommending people still on the mainland do not travel by car. Festival goers are being encouraged to travel to the island on the foot passenger
ferry services instead.

10.58
The traffic between the festival site and Cowes has now eased. The Echo's Shelly Fountain reports you can now drive from the town to the site in just 10 minutes.

It is not yet clear about the traffic conditions from other ferry terminals, such as Ryde.

10.23
YouTube user SB Clarke has uploaded this clip of the traffic on the island.

10.23
Entertainments editor, Lorelei Reddin, says entrepreneurs are earning cash from using their boats to ferry people directly to the Isle of Wight festival sites.

As well as the usual water taxis, anything that floats is being used to avoid traffic gridlock and access the festival from the Medina River side.

10.07
Daily Echo reporter Bethan Phillips was among the revellers trapped in the traffic mayhem.

She caught a bus from Ryde just after 6pm but after an hour in a queue she resorted to walking the five miles to the campsite.

She said: “As soon as we got to Ryde the traffic was at a standstill and it was complete gridlock. We carried all our bags for five miles in the torrential rain and got absolutely soaked because
nothing was moving at all. Some people said they had been in their cars for eight hours.

“When we got there nobody seemed to know which gate we were supposed to be going in. It was chaotic. The site is like a mud bath. There is no grass, just mud. It takes a lot to annoy festival-goers
but this is something else.”

9.53
All cars entering the site are now being towed into the car park. Drivers are being asked to find out where the towline needs to be attached to their vehicle.

9.28
Aggregate is being brought onto the car park site to help shore up the ground to make it easier for cars to drive on.

9.01
A number of bus services on the island have been suspended, as they cannot make their way through the traffic, meaning workers and school children are having to walk to work and school.

8.30
Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner has this morning criticised organisers over the gridlock on the island saying "90,000 is too many."

He said: "The weather has played a part – that is beyond the control of organisers. However the ground was already wet and recent rain has been forecast for some time; expected traffic can also be
forecast with some accuracy. Despite all that it appears that inadequate contingency plans and preparations were in place."

The MP raised concerns that the traffic mayhem could be repeated as revellers leave the festival site. He added: “Most people are not killjoys – they expect some inconvenience over the Festival
weekend – but there must be a limit. That limit has been reached. The permitted Festival size was increased to 90,000 this year – that is too many and not all the tickets have been sold; if they
had been the problems would be even worse."

8.08
Many festival-goers last night resorted to sleeping in their cars after they were stuck in paralysed traffic for hours. Some say they have been in their cars for as many as 20 hours.

Why did they feel the need to take their cars in the first place? You only need a tent and a few other essentials for a couple of days. Leave the car on the mainland and travel over as foot passengers. Simple really.

Why did they feel the need to take their cars in the first place? You only need a tent and a few other essentials for a couple of days. Leave the car on the mainland and travel over as foot passengers. Simple really.sotonwinch09

Good luck to them. Bad weather and its june. I have a few mates gone over there and they love it. They are festival goers and enjoy it. Why are they mugs bigfella777. There all over there to enjoy the festival and have good time. Weather cant be helped. I myself will be watching the footie but i still say fair play to them.

Good luck to them. Bad weather and its june. I have a few mates gone over there and they love it. They are festival goers and enjoy it. Why are they mugs bigfella777. There all over there to enjoy the festival and have good time. Weather cant be helped. I myself will be watching the footie but i still say fair play to them.rednwhite42

sotonwinch09 wrote:
Why did they feel the need to take their cars in the first place? You only need a tent and a few other essentials for a couple of days. Leave the car on the mainland and travel over as foot passengers. Simple really.

A tent and e few essentials-you must be joking!! That may have been true in 1970!Have you seen what the modern festival goer needs to survive? Bottles and bottles of beer/cider/champagne depending on affluence. People I know people who could not go without their blowup beds, fishing chairs/cool boxes camp stove and utensils and so on!

[quote][p][bold]sotonwinch09[/bold] wrote:
Why did they feel the need to take their cars in the first place? You only need a tent and a few other essentials for a couple of days. Leave the car on the mainland and travel over as foot passengers. Simple really.[/p][/quote]A tent and e few essentials-you must be joking!! That may have been true in 1970!Have you seen what the modern festival goer needs to survive? Bottles and bottles of beer/cider/champagne depending on affluence. People I know people who could not go without their blowup beds, fishing chairs/cool boxes camp stove and utensils and so on!sallyrdn

rednwhite42 wrote:
Good luck to them. Bad weather and its june. I have a few mates gone over there and they love it. They are festival goers and enjoy it. Why are they mugs bigfella777. There all over there to enjoy the festival and have good time. Weather cant be helped. I myself will be watching the footie but i still say fair play to them.

agree. Been 8 times - it is a brilliant weekend. Unfortunate with the weather but think i would still rather be there than sat in a flat watching TV.

[quote][p][bold]rednwhite42[/bold] wrote:
Good luck to them. Bad weather and its june. I have a few mates gone over there and they love it. They are festival goers and enjoy it. Why are they mugs bigfella777. There all over there to enjoy the festival and have good time. Weather cant be helped. I myself will be watching the footie but i still say fair play to them.[/p][/quote]agree. Been 8 times - it is a brilliant weekend. Unfortunate with the weather but think i would still rather be there than sat in a flat watching TV.elvisimo

I go to the festival pretty much religiously, but couldn't this year due to lack of finances (and the fact that I now work in Scotland holds some sway).

After the terrible weather we had last year, I'm feeling for all of those who are attending and hope that the rest of the weekend makes up for it.

As a side note, I take my bicycle to the island so can simply scythe through the traffic :-)

I go to the festival pretty much religiously, but couldn't this year due to lack of finances (and the fact that I now work in Scotland holds some sway).
After the terrible weather we had last year, I'm feeling for all of those who are attending and hope that the rest of the weekend makes up for it.
As a side note, I take my bicycle to the island so can simply scythe through the traffic :-)Beer Monster

Condor Man wrote:
moaning whilst firms like Red Funnel, Wight Link, National Express and British Rail are making a fortune from the event.

..... and your point is what???

[quote][p][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
moaning whilst firms like Red Funnel, Wight Link, National Express and British Rail are making a fortune from the event.[/p][/quote]..... and your point is what???andysaints007

I feel sorry for everyone concerned but i think that IOW based festivals need to think again about encouraging cars as it such an old road system.

Lets not be killjoys, i hope they still have a good time, cider makes you feel waterproof!

I love festivals and the weather is part of the experience.
I feel sorry for everyone concerned but i think that IOW based festivals need to think again about encouraging cars as it such an old road system.
Lets not be killjoys, i hope they still have a good time, cider makes you feel waterproof!sarfhamton

You know what? You can't fully blame the organisers for this exceptional weather. However they should have at least had some kind of contingency plan for this.

What you can blame the organisers for though is their utter greed which is contributing to this fiasco. There are TOO MANY revellers going to this festival now. The site isn't big enough and the infrastructure to get people there struggles with the demand. Add the bad weather to the mix and you get this chaos.

I'm so glad I didn't go this year. Last year was the last straw for me as it was too crowded again. I've been going each year since the stones headlined (2007 I think) and every year it's got busier and in my opinion going down hill. I believe this is partly the reason it hasn't sold out this year as I spoke to loads of people last year who said the same thing and they wouldn't be back.

Imagine how much worse this would be if it had sold out!? Good luck to those that have braved it though. I fear you will need it! I hope you all enjoy it. I am a tiny bit disappointed not to be there, but not much! :-)

You know what? You can't fully blame the organisers for this exceptional weather. However they should have at least had some kind of contingency plan for this.
What you can blame the organisers for though is their utter greed which is contributing to this fiasco. There are TOO MANY revellers going to this festival now. The site isn't big enough and the infrastructure to get people there struggles with the demand. Add the bad weather to the mix and you get this chaos.
I'm so glad I didn't go this year. Last year was the last straw for me as it was too crowded again. I've been going each year since the stones headlined (2007 I think) and every year it's got busier and in my opinion going down hill. I believe this is partly the reason it hasn't sold out this year as I spoke to loads of people last year who said the same thing and they wouldn't be back.
Imagine how much worse this would be if it had sold out!? Good luck to those that have braved it though. I fear you will need it! I hope you all enjoy it. I am a tiny bit disappointed not to be there, but not much! :-)Swissowned

Climate change, greed, too many vehicles, too many people.
Any large event on our crowded islands these days leads to chaos. These are the first signs of how our unsustainable life styles will effect the lives of future generations. All the evidence is here with us as from now.

Climate change, greed, too many vehicles, too many people.
Any large event on our crowded islands these days leads to chaos. These are the first signs of how our unsustainable life styles will effect the lives of future generations. All the evidence is here with us as from now.Sovietobserver

Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.

Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.ottostrasser

ottostrasser wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.

But if they enjoy it, who are we to be critical? Just because some of us are sat in a comfy lounge, warm and dry with good music playing in the background, doesn't make us any better than those who want to sit and sleep in mud and listen to rubbish?

[quote][p][bold]ottostrasser[/bold] wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.[/p][/quote]But if they enjoy it, who are we to be critical? Just because some of us are sat in a comfy lounge, warm and dry with good music playing in the background, doesn't make us any better than those who want to sit and sleep in mud and listen to rubbish?IronLady2010

Condor Man wrote:
moaning whilst firms like Red Funnel, Wight Link, National Express and British Rail are making a fortune from the event.

British Rail? What planet have you been on recently? Totally defunct by 2000. South West Trains may have been making a few quid though, some good comes from the chaos. I hear a helicopter company has been making a few quid too. As usual too many moaners on here, I wish they would lighten up a bit.

[quote][p][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
moaning whilst firms like Red Funnel, Wight Link, National Express and British Rail are making a fortune from the event.[/p][/quote]British Rail? What planet have you been on recently? Totally defunct by 2000. South West Trains may have been making a few quid though, some good comes from the chaos. I hear a helicopter company has been making a few quid too. As usual too many moaners on here, I wish they would lighten up a bit.OSPREYSAINT

I can remember days at Reading when the Railway Station was a sea of mud from music fans returning from a waterlogged Kings Meadow, it's just Great Britain and what do expect from our weather? Global warming? Not on my watch!

I can remember days at Reading when the Railway Station was a sea of mud from music fans returning from a waterlogged Kings Meadow, it's just Great Britain and what do expect from our weather? Global warming? Not on my watch!OSPREYSAINT

ottostrasser wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.

Tell that to the 5,000 odd that have turned up, can't all be wrong can they? OK you be a misery if you like, but I think the majority will chose to ignor you.

[quote][p][bold]ottostrasser[/bold] wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.[/p][/quote]Tell that to the 5,000 odd that have turned up, can't all be wrong can they? OK you be a misery if you like, but I think the majority will chose to ignor you.OSPREYSAINT

ottostrasser wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.

Tell that to the 5,000 odd that have turned up, can't all be wrong can they? OK you be a misery if you like, but I think the majority will chose to ignor you.

I think I may be a bit out about the attendance!

[quote][p][bold]OSPREYSAINT[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]ottostrasser[/bold] wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.[/p][/quote]Tell that to the 5,000 odd that have turned up, can't all be wrong can they? OK you be a misery if you like, but I think the majority will chose to ignor you.[/p][/quote]I think I may be a bit out about the attendance!OSPREYSAINT

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
I can remember days at Reading when the Railway Station was a sea of mud from music fans returning from a waterlogged Kings Meadow, it's just Great Britain and what do expect from our weather? Global warming? Not on my watch!

Yep, been there and got the t-shirt :-) Can't argue with a few pints at the Three Guineas whilst letting the queues disperse either

[quote][p][bold]OSPREYSAINT[/bold] wrote:
I can remember days at Reading when the Railway Station was a sea of mud from music fans returning from a waterlogged Kings Meadow, it's just Great Britain and what do expect from our weather? Global warming? Not on my watch![/p][/quote]Yep, been there and got the t-shirt :-) Can't argue with a few pints at the Three Guineas whilst letting the queues disperse eitherBeer Monster

ottostrasser wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.

Who said iow was an alternative festival?
55000 people every year seem to disagree with you.
Maybe festivals are not for you or perhaps you do not understand the concept of catering for many tastes.

[quote][p][bold]ottostrasser[/bold] wrote:
Festivals are such a load of mainstream commercial nonsense these days. They are about as Alternative as Jamie Oliver.
IOW has to be one of the worst of them all though. Jessie J forgoodnessakes !
The organisers must be coining it though laughing at the mugs standing in the mud most of them miles from the stage watching dross like Elbow on the screens and convincing themselves they are having a awesome festival experience.[/p][/quote]Who said iow was an alternative festival?
55000 people every year seem to disagree with you.
Maybe festivals are not for you or perhaps you do not understand the concept of catering for many tastes.elvisimo

If anyone is still stupid enough to want to go you can pick an entry wristband up at any of the ferry terminals for about a tenner as so many people are quitting the festival and coming home lol !

If anyone is still stupid enough to want to go you can pick an entry wristband up at any of the ferry terminals for about a tenner as so many people are quitting the festival and coming home lol !ottostrasser

ottostrasser wrote:
If anyone is still stupid enough to want to go you can pick an entry wristband up at any of the ferry terminals for about a tenner as so many people are quitting the festival and coming home lol !

Why "lol" ? do you not have a lot going on in your life. May not be your cup of tea but why is anyone's misfortune so funny. Bit of a pe nis really.

[quote][p][bold]ottostrasser[/bold] wrote:
If anyone is still stupid enough to want to go you can pick an entry wristband up at any of the ferry terminals for about a tenner as so many people are quitting the festival and coming home lol ![/p][/quote]Why "lol" ? do you not have a lot going on in your life. May not be your cup of tea but why is anyone's misfortune so funny. Bit of a pe nis really.elvisimo

Why "lol" ? do you not have a lot going on in your life. May not be your cup of tea but why is anyone's misfortune so funny. Bit of a pe nis really.
Incidentally, wristbands are tamper proof I.e. can't be reused

Why "lol" ? do you not have a lot going on in your life. May not be your cup of tea but why is anyone's misfortune so funny. Bit of a pe nis really.
Incidentally, wristbands are tamper proof I.e. can't be reusedelvisimo